Soot blower



Laussso F. BOWERS June 28, 1932.

SOOT BLOWER Origal Filed Sept. 27, 1919 5 Sheets-Shet l 41 flttofmugx F. BOWERS June 28, 1932.

SOOT BLOWER Original Filed Se t. 27, 1919 5 Sheets-Sheet y2 June 28 1932. F, BOWERS 1,865,080

l sooT BLOWER Original Filed Sept. 27, 1919 5 Sheets-Sheet I5 Patented June 28, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK BOWERS, OF DETROIT, EICHIGAN, ASBIGNOB, BY MESNE ASBIGNmTB, '.150 DIAMOND POWER SPECIALTY CORPORATION, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A. OOBPOBA- TION F MICHIGAN soo'r nLownn Application led September 27, 1919, Serial lo. 326,758. Renewed January 19, 1931.

VThis invention relates to boiler cleaners and refers more particularly to boiler cleaners of that type known as soot blowers wherein steam, air, or other cleaning substance is discharged in such a manner, as to clean the soot from the surfaces of the boiler tubes, or other'surfaces to be cleaned..

One of the main' objects of this inventlon is to provide a construction whereby a plu- 110. rality of rows of boiler tubes or other spaced members to'be cleaned-can be more effectively or economically cleaned than by the devices now used. Other features of the invention reside in the arrangement where- F by the movable cleaning element, such as the blower nozzle will be operated so as to move rapidly from one 4row of the tubes or other members to the next, and allowed to re'st temporarily or to move more vslowl zowhen passing across or in registration wit applied to aV holler of the Scotch marine type.

Figure 2'is anend elevational view at right angles to Figure 1, with the partof the casing in front of the boiler tubes broken away.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the lever mechanism.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the bracket and the operating lever, with the latter hanging downward or in the position of non-use.

Figure 5 is a side elevational View similar to Figure 1. but showing a modified operating means for the blower unit.

Figure 6 is a 'fragmentary front elevation of the actuating mechanism for the blower unit.

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the actuating mechanism of the modified construction as shown in Figure 5.

vDescribing in detail the mechanism shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive A designates a boiler of the Scotch marine type havin boiler tubes B and air or super-heater tu C. D designates a blower unit which has; discharge nozzlesfD and Dz ada ted to successively register with the rows o tubes B and C as the blower unit D is moved across the end of the boiler'tubes. For supporting the unit D and the header F connected thereto and referred to hereinafter, during movement of these parts, I have provided a roller 10 rotatable on the horizontal portion of the unit D between the collars 11. 12 is a track carried by the boiler and supporting the unit 'D by engagement with the roller 10. The vertical portion of the unit D is also provided with a roller 13 engageable in the supporting track 14. For positively reciprocating the unit D across the ends of the boiler tubes so as to successively register with the different rows thereof, there is provided a inion E onan operating rod E. This lpnlon tE registers with a rack F on the pipe header F in such a manner that when the shaft E is rotated it will move the header F transversely of the boiler and successively register the discharge nozzles D' and D2 with the ends of the rows of boiler tubes B and C.

However, in order to avoid the blower unit being stopped at points where the steam or have provideda novel operating mechanism as follows: Pivotally secured to the lower end of the shaft E is a lever G which can be swun at a right angle to said shaft. Thus sai handle may be shifted from a position marked G in Figure 3 to the position marked G2 in said figure causing one halfof a. revolution of the shaft E, the proportionating of parts being such that this will move the blower unit from one row of boiler tubes B to the next row. Obviously this movement through an arc of 180 can be rapidly accomplished, thus avoiding any material discharge of steam against the parts of the boiler intermediate the rows of tubes. lHowever, in order to move the unit any further in the same direction it is necessary to drop the lever G down to the position vshown in the dotted lines in Figure 41 where it can then be moved back to the initial position indicated by the reference character G in Figure 3. Obviously, this will take some'little time, and therefore itis impossible for the operator to fail to hold the boiler unit adjacent each row of tubes as he moves the blower from one side of the boiler to the other. When the unit has been moved to the end of its travel in one direction it can then be reversed and operated one step in the opposite direction by pulling the lever,G from the position G2 to the position G without lowering it and lowering it when moving from G' to G2.

The bearing bracket E2 is provided with a ledge portion E3 which serves to prevent the rod G from being dropped into its downwardly depending position except at the right and left hand limits of its travel.

In the modification shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, the drive shaft for the blower unit is adapted to be manually actuated step by step as in the previous construction, but the direction of travel of the blower unit is automatically reversed after a cycle of operations suiiicient to shift the blower across a predetermined working area.

The blower unit itself, is identical with that of Figure 1. The boiler A is provided with horizontal fire tubes B and vertically extending tubes C. The blower pipes 'D provided with nozzles D and D2 are adapted to travel in front of and underneath the respective flue sheets to discharge jets of steam or other cleaning fluid into the tubes of the boiler to be cleaned. The brackets 12 and 14 are provided to support tracks on which the wheels 10 and 13 travel, thus providing means to support the blower unit and to permit its longitudinal travel.

The cleaning iiuid header F, as in the previous construction, is provided with a rack F with which is engaged a driving pinion E. This pinion is attached to and rotates with the shaft H, which in turn, is mounted by means of bracket 15 froml the casing of the boiler.

Fixed to the shaft H is a collar H provided with recesses L2, L2, L4 and L". These recesses are engaged as hereinafter explained by the pawls L and M attached to the operating lever H2. These pawls are spring pressed by the leaf springs S' and S2 to engage the recesses in the collar H', thus providing means to rotate the collar H and the shaft H when the operating lever is actuated. The lever H2 is journaled upon the shaft H, the central portion of said lever being formed of spaced part-s H2, embracing the collar H.

Fixed to the bracket 15 is the bearing plate J 2, in which there are two fixed pins J A frame comprising a pair of plates l and bolts I' terminally establishing a rigid connection between said plates, is mounted upon the shaft H, which passes freely through the centers of said plates. To the lower of these plates is secured `a collar J, engaging a threaded portion K of the shaft H. The frame, as regards its angular movement, is limited to a slightlrocking by virtue of the pins J passing through the slots J3 in the plates, these slots being formed concentrically to the axis of the shaft H.

It is thus seen that the lever H2 is adapted to be oscillated to rotate the collar H and the shaft H. The frame I-I' is adapted to travel longitudinally of the shaft H within the. limits permitted by contact of one plate or the other with the lever H2. The frame is also adapted to be slightly rocked.

The pawls L' and M' are adapted to establish reverse driving connections to the collar H', depending upon the position of the guard member N. This guard member is provided with a boss Q mounted upon the pin N', which, in turn, is fixed between the plates I. The boss Q, is further provided with three teeth R', engaged by the leaf spring R, which in turn, is fastened to one of the pins J by means of a stud R2. The plates I are provided with stops O adapted to engage stops O on the portions H3 of the lever H2. The arrangement is such that when one stop on the plate contacts with its respective stop on the lever, the frame is swung an amount determined by the length of the slots J 3. This swinging of the frame causes the guard N to uncover one of the notches in the collar H and to cover the notch located exactly opposite. This shifting of the guard N permits registration of the oppositely directed pawl with one of the notches in collar H', causing a reversal in the direction of rotation of the collar H and shaft H, as the actuation of the lever H2 continues.

In the position of the parts shown in Figure 7 oscillation of the lever H2 causes the .collar H to rotate clockwise, by virtue of 1 "engagement of the pawl L in recess L2. The

stroke of the lever H2 must be at least ninety degrees and may be slighty in excess thereof. lVhen given a ninety degree stroke, the next notch Ls will pass from under the guard N and is in position to be engaged by the pawl L' when the latter is returned to its original position, by the return stroke of the lever H2. The pawl M', in engagement with notch L3 at the beginning of the stroke, is during the stroke, lifted out of engagement with this notch, by means of the guard N and on the return stroke of the lever simply rides on the face of the collar H', until it drops into the notch L2. This takes place at the same time that pawl L drops into notch L2.

This cycle continues until the shaft H has rotated a suiiicient amount to cause the frame I to travel upwardly as shown in Figure 6, until the stops O, 0 are brought into engagement. When this engagement has taken lll place, the next movement of the lever causes the frame I-I to swing as before described, thus moving the guard to the right as regards the showing in Figure 7, uncovering the notch L4 and covering the notch L2. In this position, if the lever H2 is actuated, the pawl M is adapted to engage the notch L4 to rotate the collar H counter-clockwise as regards the showing in Figure 7.

To assist in maintaining the frame I--I in either of its extreme positions, the leaf spring R is adapted to engage one or the other of the spaces between the three teeth R', o n the boss Q, of the guard N. The pressure of this spring is such that when the guard is rocked, it will pass from one space to the next, at the same time being suiicient to prevent the rocking of the frame I-I until the stops O O are in positive engagement.

In both forms of construction shown, the operation of the device is such that the handle can be rapidly moved while actuating the blower unit from one row of tubes to the next, but must be temporarily halted after it comes in registration with one row of tubes, before it can be again moved. I do not desire,

however to limit the invention to the par-A ticular forms of mechanism shown. as obviously other forms could be adopted within the broader scope of the invention.

The invention has, for the purpose of illustration, been shown and described as associated with a boiler and air heater or superheater. It is to be therefore understood that the term boiler wherever used in the specification or claims is to be construed as meaning a heat transfer apparatus or fluid heater of any character, and the term boiler cleaner is to be construed as meaning a cleaner for any such apparatus.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower movable transversely of rows of boiler tubes for cleaning the same, of step by step mechanism for actuating said blower .by advancing the latter each step from registration with one row of said tubes into registration with the next adjacent row, an oscillatory actuating handle for said blower, and means automatically reversing the travel of the blower by operation of said handle subsequent to a predetermined travel of the blower.

2. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower movable transversely of rows of boiler tubes for cleaning the same, of step by step mechanism for actuating said blower by advancing the latter each step from registration with one row of said tubes into registration with the next adjacent row, and means automatically reversing the travel of the blower by operation of said step by step mechanism after a predetermined amount of such travel.

3. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower movable transversely of rows of boiler tubes for cleaning the same, of mechanism for advancing said blower into successive registration with said rows, and means automatically reversing the travel of said blower by operation of said actuating mechanism after a predetermined amount of such travel.

4. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower member movable to clean successive pprtions of the boiler surfaces, said member ing provided with a nozzle for the discharge of cleaning fluid adjacent the surfaces of the boiler to be cleaned, of means to move said member to blow in successive positions, said means comprising a step b step mechanism whereby the blower member is brought to rest at said successive positions to deliver cleaning fluid from temporarily fixed positions to the parts of the boiler to be cleaned, an actuating member operable in a continuous cycle of movement irrespective of the direction of movement of said blower member, and means to automatically reverse the direction of movement of said blower member at the limits of its movement during a blower movable transversely of rows of' boiler tubes for cleaning the same, of means including a member operable to move said blower into successive registration with said rows, and means for automatically reversing the travel of said blower by continued operation of said member.

6. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower movable transversely of rows of boiler tubes for cleaning the same, of means including an actuating member operable in a ,continuous cycle of movements for advancing said blower into successive registration with said rows, and means for automatically periodically reversing the direction of movementof said blower member by a continuous operation of said actuating member.

7. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower movable to clean successive portions of the boiler surfaces, of mechanism for moving said blower with a step by step movement whereby said blower is brought to rest at a plurality of points during its movement to deliver jets of cleaning fluid from temporarily fixed positions to adjacent the parts of the boiler to be cleaned and means automatically operable to reverse the travel of said blower by operation of said actuating mechanism after a predetermined amount of such travel.

8. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower member movable to clean successive portions of the boiler surfaces and having a plurality of discharge nozzles for directing jets of cleaning fluid adjacent the surfaces of the boiler to be cleaned, of means for moving said blower member between predetermined limits to blow in successive positions, said means including a step by step mechanism whereby the blower member is brought to rest at said successive positions to deliver jets of cleaning fluid :from temorarily fixed positions to the parts of the iioiler to be cleaned, an oscillatory handle Jfor actuating said step by step mechanism, and means operable by a continued oscillation of said handle after said blower member has reached the limit ol lits movement in one direction for reversing the direction of movement of the blower member.

9'. ln a boiler cleaner 'the combination with. a blower member movable to clean successive portions of the boiler surfaces and having a plurality ot discharge nozzles for directing cleaning fluid adjacent the surfaces oi the boiler to be cleaned, of means for moving said blower member between predetermined limits to blow insuccessive positions, said means including a step by step mechanism whereby the blower, member is brought to rest at said successive positions to deliver jets of cleaning iuid from temporarily fixed positions to the parts of the boiler to be cleaned and an oscillatory handle for actuating said step by step mechanism,`and mea-ns operable by a continued oscillation oi said handle alter said blower member has reachesv the limit of its movement in one direction lor reversing the direction of movement ci the ,lower member, said last mentioned means including a member mounted for swinging movement to either of two extreme positions, said member being operable when swunon from one position to the other to reverse the operation ot said step by step mechanism, and a, projiec'tion movable in timed relation to said blower member and engageable with said member for swinging the same on its mounting..

l0. The combination with a iluid heater having a plurality of spaced passages or the heating medium, and a movable blower element having a nozzle for discharging a cleaning fluid into said passages, o means i'or moving said blower element with a step by step movement to bring said nozzle into exact registry with successive passages, said means being so related to the spaced passages that the nozzle will be moved the distance from one passage to the next during each step of the movement.

11. The combination with a lluid'heater having a plurality of vertically positioned passages for the heating medium arranged in spaced rows, and a movable blower element having nozzles for discharging a cleani ing fluid into the ends of said passages. of a ratchet mechanism for moving said blower element with a step by step movement to bring the nozzles thereofl into exact registry with successive rows of said passages, said ratchet mechanism being so related to the spaced passages that the nozzles will be moved the distance 'from one row of passages to the next during each step of the movement.v l2. In combination, a tube sheet provided with a plurality of spaced tube openings, a member provided with a discharge nozzle movable relative to the tube sheet to successively register the nozzle with the openings, means for supplying a cleaning fluid to said nozzle for discharge therethrough toward said openings, and means automatically op,- erable to temporarily check the movement of the said member each time its discharge nozzle registers with one of the openings in said tube sheet.

13. ln a boiler cleaner, the combination. with a blower member provided with a nozzle for the discharge of cleaning 'luid adjacent the surfaces of 'the boiler 'to be cleaned, of means to move said member to blow in successive positions, said means comprising a step by step mechanism whereby the blower member is brought to rest at said successive positions to deliver cleaning duid from temporarily .tired positions,ian actuating member operable in a continuous cycle of movements irrespective of the direction of movement of the blower member, and means to automatically reverse the direction oi movement of the blower member at the limits of its movement during the continuous operation oi? said actuating member.

lll. ln a boiler cleaner, the combination with a movable blower member provided with nozzles for the discharge oit cleaning fluid adjacent the surfaces or the boiler to be cleaned, of means to move said member to blow in a plurality of positions, said means comprising. step by step mechanism whereby the blower member is brought to rest at each of said positions to discharge j oit cleaning liuid troni temporarily lined positions toward the parts of boiler to be cleaned, an actuating member operable a continuous cycle of movements irrespective of the direction oi movement of said blower member, and means to automatically reverse the direction of movement ot' said blower member at the limits of its movement during the continuous operation oli-"said actuating member.

15. ln a boiler cleaner, the combination with a movable blower member provided with nozzles for the dischar e/of cleaning fluid adjacent the surfaces o? the boiler to be cleaned, of mechanism for moving said blower with a step by step movement whereby said blower is brought to rest at a plurality of points during its movement to discharge jets of cleaning liuid from temporarily xed positions to adjacent the parts of the boiler to be Cleaned, and means automatically operable to reverse the travel of said blower by operation of said actuating mechanism after a predetermined amount of such travel.

16.'. ln a boiler cleaner, the combination with a movable blower member provided with nozzles for the discharge of cleaning fluid adjacent the surfaces of the boiler 'to be cleaned, of means for moving said blower member between predetermined limits, said rneans` including a step by step mechanism whereby .the blower member is brought to rest at a plurality of lpoints during its movement between said limits to deliver jets of cleaning fluid from temporarily fixed positions to adjacent the parts of the boiler to be cleaned, an oscillatory handle for actuating said step by step mechanism, and means operable by a contmued oscillation of said handle after said blower member has reached the limit ot its movement in one direction for reversing the direction of movement ot the blower member.

17. ln a boiler cleaner, the combination 'with a blower movable to direct cleaning duid adjacent portions of a boiler to be cleaned to clean the same, of mechanism for moving said blower with a step by step motion to eiect said cleaning, and means operating upon a predetermined amount of step by step movement ot said blower inl one direction to cause further actuation of said mechanism toe'ect a step by vstep movement ot said blower in a second direction.

18. ln a. boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower movable to direct jets of cleani ing fluid adjacentparts of a boiler to be cleaned, of means including a member operable to impart a step by step movement to said blower to edect said cleaning, and means Jfor automatically reversing the direction of movement of said blower by continued operation of said member.

19. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower movable to direct jets of cleaning fluid adjacent parts of a boiler to be cleaned, of means including an actuating member operable in a continuous cycle of movements for moving said blower with a step by step movement to effect said cleaning, and means for automatically periodically reversing the direction of movement of said blower member by a continuous operation of said actuating member.

20. In a boiler cleaner, a blower movable to direct jets of cleaning fluid adjacent portions of a boiler to be cleaned, and means including a lever mounted for movement about two axes angularly disposed with respect to each other for imparting a step by step movement to said blower to effect said cleaning, movement of said lever about one of said axes moving said blower and movement of said lever about the other axis periodically positioning said lever for successive movements in a single direction about the first axis.

21. In a boiler cleaner, a blower movable to direct jets of cleaning fluid adjacent parts of a boiler to be cleaned, a 4lever mounted for movement about two axes angularly disposed with respect to each other, and means operable upon movement of said lever about one of said axes to move said blower to effect said cleaning, movement of said lever about the other axis periodically positioning said lever for successive movements in a single direction about the rst axis.

22. ln a boiler cleaner, a blower movable to direct jets ot cleaning fluid adjacent parts ot a boiler to be cleaned, and means for imparting a step by step movement to said blower to effect said cleaning, said means including a rotatable shaft, and a lever fixed to said shaft for limited movement about the axis of said shatt and for additional movement about an axis angularly disposed with respect to the axis of said shaft, said additional movement providing for the periodical positioning of said lever for successive movements in the same direction about the axis of said shaft.

23. ln a boiler cleaner, a blower element movable to direct jets ot cleaning duid adjacent parts of a boiler to be cleaned, and means for imparting a step by step movement to said blower to e'ect said cleaning, said means including a rotatable shaft, a connecy t tion betweenlsaid shaft and blower operable to move said blower upon rotation of said shaft, a lever connected to said sh'aft and movable about the axis of said shaft to rotate said shaft, means mounting said lever for movement about an axis angularly disposed with reference to the axis of said shaft, and means preventing movement of said lever about the said axis angularly disposed with respect to the airis ot said shatt except upon completion of a predetermined movement ot vsaid lever about the axis of said shaft.

24:. ln a boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower movable to direct cleaning duid adjacent portions of a boiler to be cleaned to clean the same, of mechanism for moving said blower with a step by step motion to el'ect said cleaning, gear means interconnecting said step by step mechanism and said blower, and means operating upon a predetermined amount of step by step movement of said blower in one direction to cause further actuation of said .mechanism to effect a step by step movement of said blower in a second direction.

25. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower movable to direct cleaning fluid adjacent portions of a boiler to be cleaned to clean the same, of mechanism for. `moving said blower with a step by step motion to el'ect said cleaning, and means' act-uated by said mechanism operating upon a predetermined amount of step by step movement of said blower in one direction to cause further actuation of said mechanism to effect a dit step by step movement of said blower in a second direction.

26. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower movable to direct cleaning Huid 5 adjacent portions of a boiler to be cleaned to clean the same, of mechanism for moving said blower with a step by step motion toe'ectsaid cleaning, gear means interconnecting said Step by step mechanism and said blower, and 10 means actuated by said mechanism operating upon a predetermined amount of step by -step movement of said blower in one direction to cause further actuation of said mechanism to effect a ste'p b step movement of 15 said blower in a second crectlon.

Intestimony whereof I aiiix my si ature.

FRAN K BO RS. 

